Inca Trail 24th July

Hi Amanda I'm very excited about going, and have been walking fast up local hills to get fit. Look forward to meeting you in July! Susan

hey Susan, I'm about to start training and my first job will be breaking in a new pair of boots! have you done anything like this before? This will be my first 'adventure'!!

Amanda :)

Hi Amanda I have been on other Exodus trips, but not at altitude, camping, porters etc, so I think your first adventure is a biggie! Are you going on the group flight from Heathrow? Susan

Hi Susan, the Inca trail has been a dream since 1999, finally it's almost time! I'm am assuming I'm on the group flight out of Heathrow, are you flyimg from London too? Amanda :)

Yes, perhaps we can meet up in the departure lounge. I'm trying to exercise in some form most days, and doing one longish hike each week, about 12 miles with as many hills as possible, but it's not exactly mountainous in the East Midlands! How are your new boots? Susan :)

Hi Susan, it would be really great to meet up in departures :)  Your training sounds like it's going well. We went out over the weekend but the fields etc were so wet and boggy. I've just have signed up for a couple of walks; one is a single day 40 mile walk around ancient Wiltshire and the other is a weekend 55 miler visiting 7 of the White Horses. Hopefully it should give me a tatste of the endurance needed but it should be fun (?) in a group!!! I'm also doing the usual gym stuff, cycle classe etc. The new boots are really comfy thanks, I'm surpirised how quickly they have 'worn' in, I hope I'm not in for any surprises!!!  A friend who did the trek last September said her main issues were that she was cold/freezing at night (I hate being cold!) so I'm looking at 4 season bags , liners the lot, have you got much kit yet?  Amanda :)

Hi Amanda, wow! 40 miles will definitely test your endurance! Don't worry about your fitness, as I will be plodding at the back. I am looking at lightweight multipurpose clothing, sunproof, wicking, insect-repelling, anti-odour etc and planning to get just a few high-tech items. I have invested in a Camelbak. Fortunately I can borrow a good sleeping bag and mat. Do you know anything about the coca leaves that are recommended to chew? Susan

Hi Susan, I think the coca leaves are supposed to have properties in them help with acclimitisation and other ailments. Apparently they're used in teas/drinks and can be chewed. It's legal in Peru but we can't bring any home as it contains cocaine?!!! I'm a bit confused re the exodus kit bag - are you planning to take a separate piece of luggage (in addition to the kit bag) and then decant some stuff for the trek itself (+ day sack?) I thought that we could use the kit bag as the sole piece of large luggage (to be left at hotel in Cuzco) and then pack a duffle bag which is portered up. I think I've got the wrong end of the stick!! Have been ooking at day packs today - advised to get a 'female' style if poss as would be so much more comfortable and they are!! Not yet decided on which one although I finally decided on a sleeping bag - went for a Rab 900 in the end, a bit pricier than I was originally going to spend but I had a lucky win on the national last saturday (66-1) and won £422.50 for a fiver bet each way - Yay!! If I'm not warm enough in that then there's no hope for me! I am hoping to trek up Kilimanjaro if all goes well with MP so it will be good for that trip too. I have to say, this whole kit thing is a challenge in itself; which brand, which type etc! My next challenge is some sort of jacket - wish me luck haha !!

 

 

Amanda :)

Hi Amanda, lucky you, nice windfall on the horses! The kit seems to occupy my thoughts a lot! The duffel space is about 70 cm x 30 cm, 7kg max, and I think we will be lent the bag by the local company when we get there, from how I am reading the trip notes, and what I have read on other forums. I am going to try and wear everything I need for the trek on the plane (!) and carry all the vital stuff in my hand luggage, as I have lost my checked baggage a few times, and it is a pain. I'll still check in a bigger bag with stuff for the free days. Hoping to use my current daypack, which is comfy but only 22 litres (Deuter women's with a frame which keeps it clear of my back, so a bit cooler). May have to get something bigger? Like you, I am still pondering about a coat or fleece. My normal fleece zip-up is too bulky to put in my backpack, so I am considering one of the very lightweight primaloft jackets which squash down small. I think that will work the same as a fleece layer under a waterproof. Still doing lots of practice walks. I am climbing Snowdon and Scafell Pike with my daughter soon, and we are going to climb the 3 Peaks in Yorkshire too. Very glad the weather is getting warmer at last. Susan

Hi Susan and Amanda! Nice to "bump" into other Macchu Picchu travellers =)Me and James will be joining you guys in this trip and we are terribly excited!xx Mim

Hey Susan, Mim and James - great to 'meet' you :)

 Susan, I'm still having problems deciding on a back pack and coat, it will be over by the time I get my act together! You've made a really good point Susan, hadn't thought about luggage going awol - but will defo be wearing the essential items like boots etc on the way out.

I haven't been walking as far in the past couple of weeks, although I've been in the gym - work etc getting in the way and I celebrated my birthday yesterday by doing a tandem skydive - overwhelmingly fantastic!!! I now have to re group, get my head out of the clouds (literally) and think about July. M&J - have you done anything like this before? X

 

Amanda :)

Well James is in the Army so he has done all sort of things but Peru will be a first for both of us though so we can't wait. We are both used to mountaineering but never anything as high as Macchu Picchu thus I'm reading as much as I can about altitude sickness and how to "prevent" it.Ah skydiving sounds amazing I have been meaning to do it for years but other things always seem to get in the way xDxx Mim